Woman charged in cat thefts arrested again

A woman charged earlier this month with stealing 16 cats from Burlington’s animal shelter, was arrested again Friday during an alleged interrupted break-in at a city business.

Emily Suzanne Uckele, 22, of 513 Riverside Drive, was taken into custody Friday morning by Burlington police. She and another woman, were seen running from Garden Valley Farmer’s Market, 1037 Chapel Hill Road, after an officer saw suspicious activity at the business.

Uckele was charged with felony breaking and entering of a building, felony larceny, felony possession of stolen goods and resisting arrest. She was held under a $25,000 secured bond at the Alamance County Jail. Jennefer Rose Jones, 26, of the same address, was charged with felony breaking and entering of a building, felony larceny, and felony possession of stolen goods. She was held under a $ 25,000 secured bond at the Alamance County Jail.

According to warrants, Uckele and Jones allegedly stole landscaping and gardening materials, landscaping plants, clay gardening pots, hanging plants, and $5 in mint quarters from the business. The items were valued at $2,064.

They also caused $150 in damages inside the business.

According to a statement from Burlington police, an officer on routine patrol shortly before 2 a.m. noticed “suspicious activity” at the business. The officer saw two persons running from the business, entering a vehicle and attempting to leave the scene. The officer stopped the vehicle and detained the women for questioning.

Police said the women entered the business property, broke into a building and stole property from inside.

The investigation is continuing.

On May 14, Uckele turned herself in at the Alamance County jail after warrants were obtained for her arrest in connection to the May 8 theft at the animal shelter. Uckele was charged with breaking and entering, larceny after breaking and entering and first-degree trespassing. She was given a $3,000 secured bond.

Police said at the time of the arrest that they didn’t know why Uckele would have stolen the cats. Uckele was never employed at the shelter or worked there as a volunteer. The animals have not been found.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Burlington Police Department at 336-229-3500 or Burlington/Alamance Crimestoppers at 336-229-7100.

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